HBO to Adapt Short Story Collection From ‘Cat Person’ Author Kristen Roupenian

HBO has put into development an adaptation of the upcoming short story collection “You Know You Want This,” from “Cat Person” author Kristen Roupenian.

“The Leftovers” alums Carly Wray and Lila Byock are attached to write and executive produce the planned anthology series, which will explore the dark, complex and funny connections between gender, sex and power across genres.

Roupenian went viral last year when her short story “Cat Person” was published in The New Yorker. Detailing a new relationship as it blossoms via digital flirtation and eventually sours with an intensely bad sexual encounter, the story blew up on social media for its incisive examination of the gender dynamics of modern-day dating.

Shortly after the story’s success, Roupenian signed a seven-figure book deal with Simon & Schuster imprint Scout Press. “You Know You Want” is scheduled to be published next spring.

Back in March, Roupenian also sold the horror script “Bodies Bodies Bodies” to A24.

Byock and Wray both served as writers on HBO’s “The Leftovers” and have since remained at HBO as a writer-producer on the upcoming “Watchmen” series and as a co-executive producer on “Westworld,” respectively.